as a parent, grandparent and great grandparent i was who are fide to hear of the tragedy in newtown, connecticut. my sadness remains for those who have lost their children and loved ones and for the quiet community that was shattered through such an act of violence. i, like almost everyone i know, am at a loss of making sense of such a horrible tragedy and i won't do so today. all i can do is offer my prayers and simpthist for those who lost their friends and family members and to the people of newtown. in my faith we believe that families are eternal. that those who have lost loved ones will one day we reunited with them. that belief has helped me cope with losses i've experienced over the years. while nothing can help the pain of losing a child, i hope this notion will bring the parents some measure of comfort. once again, i offer my deepest sympathy to those in newtown and across the country who have cause to mourn this day. i ask my further remarks be placed in an appropriate place in the record. >> i also want to take a moment to pay tribute to a man i loved, appreciated and wor